By Admin 
The decades-old tension between India and Pakistan has now extended beyond Jammu and Kashmir and LoC to the Sir Creek area of Gujarat. The joint exercise named Trishul of the Indian Armed Forces is going on in this area, due to which this area has become a new center in the security equation of India-Pakistan.
Sir Creek becomes new strategic border
The Trishul exercise of the Indian Army will run from 30 October to 10 November. During this time, due to major air and ground activities on the Rajasthan-Gujarat border, India has issued NOTAM (Notice to Airmen). Pakistan has also banned flights over its southern and central parts, possibly for its military exercises or missile testing. Although India has described it as an ‘annual routine exercise’, its timing, location and scale indicate that it is also a strategic message to Pakistan. The marshy area of Sir Creek is now taking a prominent place in India’s defense strategy.
What is Sir Creek dispute?
Sir Creek is a 96 km long tidal flat located between the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat and the Sindh province of Pakistan. This area is important because it is from here that the maritime boundary (Exclusive Economic Zone – EEZ) of both the countries is decided, which extends for 370 kilometers into the Arabian Sea. India claims that the border passes through the middle of Sir Creek, while Pakistan says that the eastern edge is the border, giving it control over the entire area. This dispute has not been resolved even after dozens of meetings since 1969.
Increased military activities and warnings
Recently, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh had warned Pakistan that ‘if Pakistan takes any action in Sir Creek, its response will change both history and geography.’ After this, Pakistan Navy Chief also visited Sir Creek area. India is concerned about the expansion of Pakistani military infrastructure and construction of new posts in this area.
Why is Sir Creek important?
Sir Creek is very important for the security of India’s western coast because it is near India’s naval and air bases. In recent years, incidents of suspicious boats coming from Pakistan have also increased here, which makes it a possible infiltration route. According to experts, now that infiltration routes into Kashmir have become difficult, Pakistan may try new moves through coastal routes. India’s Trishul exercise is being conducted keeping this potential threat in mind, so that any maritime or asymmetric attack can be responded to immediately.